Strawberry plant named ‘NSG 9’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant, referred to by its cultivar name, ‘NSG 9’, is provided which exhibits a semi-dense habit and an upright growth. ‘NSG 9’ displays, on an early basis, white inflorescence generally at a level above the foliage. ‘NSG 9’ commonly displays a calyx that is larger than the diameter of its corolla when open. ‘NSG 9’ forms in abundance early-ripening attractive fruits of large dimensions, longer in length than in width, mainly conical, with very firm flesh and orange red color. The new variety is particularly well suited for the commercial industry.

Botanical/commercial classification:

Latin name: Fragaria x ananassa Duchesne.

Varietal denomination: ‘NSG 9’.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Community Plant Variety RightsApplication Number 2021/1460 which was filed in European Union throughCommunity Plant Variety Office on Jun. 7, 2021, of which the content ofis hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety for allpurposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new and distinct short-day strawberry plant variety of the presentinvention was the product of a controlled breeding program that wascarried out in Policoro (MT) Italy located at 40° 197 N-16° 656 E,wherein two parents were crossed which previously had been studied inthe hope that they would contribute the desired characteristics. Thefemale parent (i.e., the seed parent) was the ‘NSG 203’ variety (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 32,162 P3 and European Union Community Plant VarietyRights No. 57090), which is a strawberry variety plant with early-seasonripening, high yield-season and produces fruit with high consistence andshelf life. The male parent (i.e., pollen parent) was the ‘SIRIS’variety (non-patented in the United States and European Union CommunityPlant Variety Rights No. 34843) which is a strawberry variety plant withmedium late-season yield and produces fruit with very high contents ofsugar and exhibits high tolerance to infection by fungus, such asPhytophthora cactorum and Colletotrichum acutatum.

The parentage can be summarized as follows:‘NSG 203’ x ‘SIRIS’.

The seeds resulting from the above pollination were sown and smallplants were obtained which were physically different from each other.Selective study and testing resulted in the identification of a singleshort-day strawberry plant of the new variety.

It was found that the new strawberry plant of the present inventionpossesses the following combination of characteristics:

-   -   (a) exhibits a semi-dense habit and an upright growth,    -   (b) displays, on an early basis, white inflorescence, generally,        at a level above the foliage,    -   (c) commonly displays a calyx that is larger than the diameter        of the corolla when open,    -   (d) forms in abundance early-ripening attractive fruits of large        dimensions, longer in length than in width, mainly conical, with        very firm flesh and orange red color.

The new variety well meets the needs of the horticultural industry. Thenew variety possesses characteristics that commonly are sought bycommercial strawberry growers. For example, the new variety providesuniform attractive firm medium red, medium- ripening fruit in goodyields. The new variety requires an induction period for flowering. Thismay be achieved by growing in a colder climate away from the equator orat a higher altitude above sea level.

The new variety can be readily distinguished from its ancestors. Morespecifically, the ‘NSG 203’ variety (i.e., the seed parent) generallydisplays a conical shape fruit, with a cavity that is either absent orsmall. The fruit of ‘NSG 203’ is much longer in length than width, witha very small difference between the terminal fruits and the others, hassepals which are disposed outward and a calyx diameter that is commonlyslightly bigger in relation to the diameter of its fruit. On thecontrary, the new variety has fruit which is still conical but possessesa medium cavity. The fruit of the new variety is also moderately longerin length than width, has a moderate difference between the terminalfruits and the others, possesses sepals which are disposed upward andhas a calyx diameter that is almost equal to the diameter of its fruit.The leaf of ‘NSG 203’ is moderately longer in length than width and hasan acute base. The new variety has a leaf with equal length and widthand a rounded base. In addition, the variety “SIRIS” (i.e., the pollenparent) generally has medium leaves with medium green color, longer inwidth than length, with obtuse base. The new variety has bigger leaveswith a lighter green, equal in length and width, with rounded base. The“SIRIS” variety shows cordate shape fruits, with the diameter of thecalyx being much smaller when compared to diameter of the fruit, whichhas an absent or very small cavity. The fruit of the new variety;however, is conical, has a calyx diameter equal to the diameter of thefruit, and has a medium cavity.

Moreover, the new variety can be readily distinguished from non-parentalrelated similar varieties. For example, the ‘NSG 120’ variety (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 32,192 P3 and European Union Community Plant VarietyRights No. 57092) shows medium to large leaves, moderately longer inlength than width, with an acute base. The leaves of the new variety arebig, almost equal in length and width, have a rounded base, are morewrinkled and are a lighter green color. In addition, the ‘NSG 120’variety has conical, slightly rhomboidal fruit with a medium red colorand the diameter of its calyx is slightly bigger than the diameter ofits fruit. The new variety has conical fruit, with a red orange colorand the diameter of its calyx is almost equal to the diameter of itsfruit.

The new variety has been found to undergo asexual propagation in Spainand Italy by a number of routes, including by use of stolons and invitro tissue culture. Specifically, the new variety has been asexuallyreproduced in a nursery setting by the use of stolons in Tordesillas,Spain, located at 41° 494 N-4° 908 E and in Policoro, Italy, by in vitrotissue culture. No rotting problems were observed on the roots duringcultivation. The combination of characteristics exhibited by the newvariety has been found to be stable and reliably transmitted tosucceeding generations following such asexual reproduction. Accordingly,the new variety undergoes asexual propagation in a true-to-type mannerby such asexual reproduction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs show, as nearly true as it is reasonablypossible to make the same in color illustrations of this character,typical specimens of the new variety identified by the code c20.v.17-9(breeder reference). The illustrated strawberry plants of the newvariety were asexually reproduced by stolons in a nursery atTordesillas, Spain, 41° 494 N-4° 908 E , and were planted under thecover of plastic tunnels during mid October 2021 in Policoro (MT)located at 40° 197 N-16° 656 E, Italy.

FIG. 1 —illustrates a row of fruiting plants in May 2022, wherein thelevel of the flowering is above the foliage.

FIG. 2 —illustrates the new plant variety with its upright habit andmedium vigor.

FIG. 3 —illustrates specimens of the new variety's three-leafletleaves—under surface, wherein the petiole and stipules are furtherapparent. Dimensions in centimeters and inches are included.

FIG. 4 —illustrates specimens of the new variety's three-leafletleaves—upper surface. Dimensions in centimeters and inches are included.

FIG. 5 —illustrates the under surface of the new variety's terminalleaflet and its venature.

FIG. 6 —illustrates a fruiting specimen of the new variety. Dimensionsin centimeters and inches are included.

FIG. 7 —illustrates a flowering specimen of the new variety. Dimensionsin centimeters and inches are included.

FIG. 8 —illustrates flowers from the new variety, view from above.Dimensions in centimeters and inches are included.

FIG. 9 —illustrates specimens of the new variety's calyx, view fromabove. Dimensions in centimeters and inches are included.

FIG. 10 —illustrates specimens of the new variety's mature fruit—whole.Dimensions in centimeters and inches are included.

FIG. 11 —illustrates specimens of the new variety's maturefruit—internal sections. Dimensions in centimeters and inches areincluded.

FIG. 12 —illustrates specimens of the new variety's stipules—open.Dimensions in centimeters and inches are included.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The chart used in the identification of colors is that of The RoyalHorticultural Society (“R.H.S.” Colour Chart), London, England, EditionV. The terminology which precedes reference to the chart has been addedto indicate the corresponding color in more common terms. The detailedbotanical description is based on plants which were reproduced asexuallyby the use of stolons in Tordesillas, Spain, located at 41° 494 N-4° 908E, transplanted in Policoro (MT), Italy located at 40° 197 N-16° 656 Ein October and grown under the cover of plastic tunnels.

The age of the plants on which the botanical description was made isbetween two and eight months from the transplants.

-   Plant:    -   -   Type.—Short-day.        -   Configuration.—Spreading and semi-dense.        -   Vigor.—Medium.        -   Leaf.—Length approximately from 26 cm to 29 cm, petiole and            stipule included.        -   Leaflets.—Number: commonly 3. — size: medium to large in            size, approximately 8 cm in length on average, and            approximately 7 cm in width on average. — terminal leaflet:            commonly equal in length and width, possesses a generally            concave cross-section, possesses a crenate margin, and a            rounded base. — blistering: commonly is high in quantity. —            glossiness on the upper surface: medium. — color: variegated            coloration commonly is absent; upper surface coloration            commonly being near Green Group N134A and under surface            commonly being near Green Group 138C. — texture (upper            surface): wrinkled with small translucent waxy points and a            presence of trichomes on the whole surface. — texture (lower            surface): generally wrinkled with trichomes present,            especially on the ribs. — venation pattern: the main            transverse ribs are grafted forming an acute angle, at the            insertion level of the main transverse rib there is no            curvature in the initial part. The first transverse ribs,            close to the base of the insertion with the petiole, have an            initial curvature with a high acute angle.        -   Stolons.—High in quantity, medium pubescence in density,            color is commonly near Yellow-Green Group 144D to            Yellow-Green Group 145A, weak anthocyanin coloration near            Red-Purple Group 59C, and the distance between plants rooted            in the same stolon is approximately 26 cm to 38 cm on            average.        -   Petioles.—Approximately 17 cm to 22 cm in length on average,            the average minor axis and the average major axis, measured            at approximately 3 cm from the base of the stipule are            approximately 0.3 cm and 0.4 cm, respectively, and color is            commonly near Yellow-Green Group N144C, and commonly bear            generally horizontally disposed fine pubescence.        -   Stipules.—Approximately 2.9 cm to 3.3 cm in length on            average, the average width of closed stipules, measured at            the base of the stipule, is approximately 1.1 cm, the            average width of open stipules is approximately 2.4 cm,            color is near Yellow-Green 145 C with some anthocyanin            coloration of near Red-Purple Group 62A.        -   Floral fragrance.—Present.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Flowering time.—Early, second/third week of December in            Policoro (MT), Italy located at 40° 197 N-16° 656 E.        -   Flower disposition.—Above the level of the foliage.        -   Flower number.—Average, commonly 7 on average.        -   Pedicel hairs.—Pubescence generally disposed horizontally.        -   Pedicel color.—Commonly near Yellow-Green Group 144C.        -   Pedicel length.—The average length of the main and secondary            pedicles measured from the base of the calyx is            approximately 12 cm.        -   Pedicel diameter.—The diameter measured at approximately 2            cm from the calyx is approximately 0.2 cm.        -   Flower size.—Big, with primary flowers approximately 3.2 cm            in diameter on average, and secondary flowers approximately            2.6 cm in diameter on average. Commonly the open calyx is            larger than the diameter of the corolla, being approximately            3.5 cm to 4.2 cm in diameter on average.        -   Petals.—Number: approximately 6 to 7 on average. —            arrangement and shape: overlapping, rounder and almost equal            in length and width. — size: approximately 1.15 cm on            average in both length and width. — color: near to White            Group NN155C on the upper surface. — texture (upper            surface): spongy texture, smooth, glabrous surface, with            small translucent points; roughness at the level of            insertion on the calyx. — texture (lower surface): slight            roughness, which increases at the insertion with the base.            Glabrous surface.        -   Stamens.—Average number: approximately 23. — average length:            approximately 0.2 cm to 0.5 cm. — filament color:            Yellow-Green Group 1C.        -   Anthers.—Number is approximately 22 to 24 on average and            color is commonly Yellow Group 12A.        -   Pollen.—In abundance.        -   Stigma.—Shape: very jagged fan shape. — size: an average            opening at approximately 400 μm. — texture: waxed dry            stigma, not feathery.        -   Style.—Average length: approximately between 1800 μm. —            average diameter: approximately 215 μm, which thins at the            level of the insertion on the ovary, entirely crossed by a            stylus channel with an average diameter of approximately 40            μm. — shape: Gynobasic style.        -   Ovary.—Superior, with slightly oval shape and average major            axis and the average minor axis of approximately 700 μm and            550 μm.        -   Sepals.—Shape: generally lanceolate in configuration;            attitude is commonly upwards, and generally extend beyond            the petals. — number: approximately 13 to 14 on average. —            size: approximately 1.4 cm to 1.6 cm in length on average,            and approximately 0.6 cm to 0.8 cm in width on average at            the broadest point. — color: the upper surface is commonly            near Green Group 141A to 141B and the under surface is            commonly near Green Group 143D. — texture (upper surface):            slightly wrinkled with trichomes and translucent waxy points            on the whole surface, but especially on the borders. —            texture (lower surface): slightly wrinkled with trichomes on            the base and on the borders.-   Fruit:    -   -   Bearing.—Non-remontant.        -   Timing.—Medium fruiting commonly with approximately 32 to 36            days from first blooming to first fruit ripening.        -   Shape.—Conical, moderately longer than broad, commonly with            a medium difference between terminal and the other fruits.        -   Size.—Large, with the primary fruit approximately 5.0 cm to            6.0 cm in length on average; approximately 3.8 cm to 4.0 cm            in width on average at the broadest point; and approximately            22 grams on average.        -   Surface.—Generally uniform with strong glossiness.        -   External color.—Substantially uniform, commonly near Red            Group 45B.        -   Internal color.—The flesh and the core is commonly near            Orange-Red Group 33B.        -   Firmness.—Very good firmness.        -   Cavity.—Small to medium fruit cavity, as illustrated in FIG.            11 .        -   Achenes.—Located generally below the fruit surface with only            a narrow band where achenes are absent, and commonly near            Red Group 45B in coloration.        -   Calyx.—Commonly on the same level of the fruit at the point            of attachment, the calyx commonly attaches to the fruit with            medium adherence, the sepals are disposed generally upwards            and the fruit diameter of calyx is on the same level in            relation to the diameter of fruit.        -   Peduncle.—Long, elliptical shaped in section, with the            average length of the primary peduncle, measured from the            base of the calyx of the primary fruit, approximately from            25 cm to 26 cm, average minor axis and the average major            axis are approximately 0.4 cm and 0.5 cm respectively. The            diameters of the axis are measured at approximately 3 cm            from the base of the peduncle from which secondary and            primary peduncles begin. The peduncle measured includes the            pedicel that carries the main mature fruit and in addition            the underlying peduncle. The color is commonly near            Yellow-Green Group 144B to N144C.        -   Pedicel.—Commonly with pubescence extending horizontally,            and color is commonly near Yellow-Green Group N144C.        -   Storability.—Medium to high.-   Development:    -   -   Fertilization.—Self-fertile.        -   Resistance to disease.—During the time of observations and            to date, no sensitivities to any disease were observed.        -   Winter hardiness/cold tolerance.—Unknown.        -   Drought/heat tolerance.—Good.

Plants of the ‘NSG 9’ variety have not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that thephenotypic expression may vary somewhat with changes in light intensityand duration, cultural practices, and other environmental conditions.

SUPPLEMENTAL COMPARATIVE DATA

Hereafter, additional comparative fruit data is provided for the newvariety: the ‘NSG 9’ variety, the ‘NSG 203’ variety (i.e., the femaleparent), the ‘SIRIS’ variety (i.e., the male parent) and the ‘NSG 120’variety. The plants were asexually reproduced by the use of stolons in2021 in Tordesillas, Spain located at 41° 494 N-4° 908 E, and planted infield on Oct. 18, 2021. All varieties were grown under the cover ofplastic tunnels in Policoro (MT), Italy located at 40° 197 N-16° 656 E .The first pick of the fruit occurred on Jan. 15, 2022 and the last pickof the fruit occurred on May 16, 2022. The fruit were evaluated andcompared on the dates indicated. Average data are followed:

TABLE 1 Accumulated Production of First Quality Fruit (g/plant) VarietyFebruary 28^(th) March 30^(th) April 30^(th) May 16^(th) ‘NSG 120’ 90235 405 530 ‘NSG 9’ 98 212 467 680

TABLE 2 Overall Comparison of Average Fruit Weight in Policoro - Italyon year 2022 Variety g/fruit ‘NSG 120’ 21 ‘NSG 203’ 24 ‘SIRIS’ 21 ‘NSG9’ 22

TABLE 3 Average Fruit Weight on Specified Dates in 2022 March 30^(th)April 30^(th) May 16^(th) Variety (grams) (grams) (grams) ‘NSG 120’ 2222 19 ‘NSG 203’ 24 26 22 ‘SIRIS’ 22 20 21 ‘NSG 9’ 22 23 21

TABLE 4 Fruit Analysis on May 4, 2022 ‘NSG 120’ ‘NSG 203’ ‘SIRIS’ ‘NSG9’ Firmness (average)* 0.57 0.51 0.67 0.57 Dry Matter (%)** 9.85 8 9.8510.3 pH (to 200) 3.55 3,53 3.69 3.54 Acidity as Anhydride 0.48 0,49 0.460.51 Citric (%) Soluble Solids (% Brix) 10 8 10 10.5 Maturity Index***20.9 16.4 21.6 20.7 *Resistance to penetration measured in kilogramsusing a Turoni (Italy) penetrometer (20 Kg × 0.01). **Ratio ISTISAN1996/34 pg. 7 METHOD B. *** MIP 160 2013 Rev.0.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘NSG 9’, as illustrated and described herein. 